be favored over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be favored over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing preferences or choices, indicating that one option is preferred more than another. Example: "In this study, organic produce is often favored over conventional options due to its perceived health benefits."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Collins said he thought public schools tended to be favored over private schools when courts have to decide on a child's education.

The New York Times

According to Bequelin, when it comes to organ-donation preference, "it is quite inconceivable that Party and government members would not be favored over ordinary citizens, because that's the reality of life in China.

The New Yorker

In palliative care, for example, patient comfort and well-being may be favored over aggressive chemotherapies that might provide a limited extension of life.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

"Why would one band be favored over the other?" he asks.

The New York Times - Books

Why should one town be favored over another for this kind of grant?

The New York Times

If N.Y.U. must raise tuition to handle all that extra debt, applicants with money will be favored over those without.

The New York Times

This makes sense in principle: why should insurance benefits be favored over salary by our tax system?

The New York Times

(Temple would be favored over both Pitt and Syracuse on a neutral field at this point, right?) Mark Viera did a story about this today in The Times.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, bigger institutions like Fidelity and T. Rowe Price would be favored over smaller ones, who might be more likely to flip shares for a quick buck.

The New York Times

Though astronomers have suggested why one chirality might be favored over another, the evidence is not compelling, in Dr. Rich's view.

The New York Times - Science

They wrote, "We'd rather see such misery ended than prolonged," and warned that Sexton's ambitions would "eventually degrade our student body," because "applicants with money will be favored over those without".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be favored over", ensure that the context clearly indicates the criteria or reasons for the preference. For instance, specify whether the preference is due to efficiency, cost, or other relevant factors.

Common error

Ensure clarity by explicitly stating what is "favored over" what. Without clear context, the phrase can be vague and leave the reader wondering about the comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be favored over" functions as a passive construction indicating preference or advantage. It describes a scenario where one option, entity, or approach is regarded more positively or given priority compared to another. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which demonstrate its use in various comparative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be favored over" is a versatile expression used to indicate preference or advantage. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in scientific literature and news articles. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the basis for the preference. For alternatives, consider "be preferred to" or "be chosen over", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity and ensure your writing is clear and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be preferred to

Emphasizes a stronger sense of liking or choosing one option above another.

be chosen over

Highlights the act of selecting one option instead of another, often in a decision-making context.

be given precedence over

Indicates that one thing is treated as more important than another.

be prioritized over

Suggests a ranking where one thing is considered more urgent or necessary.

be valued more than

Focuses on the relative worth or importance assigned to different options.

be held in higher regard than

Implies that one thing is viewed with greater respect or admiration.

take precedence over

Highlights the importance of one thing over another, creating a sense of hierarchy.

outweigh

Indicates that one thing is more significant or influential than another.

be considered superior to

Suggests that one thing is of better quality or higher standing than another.

be ranked higher than

Denotes that one item has a better or higher position than other items.

FAQs

How can I use "be favored over" in a sentence?

The phrase "be favored over" indicates that one option is preferred or given advantage compared to another. For example, "In this study, organic produce tends to "be favored over" conventional options due to perceived health benefits."

What are some alternatives to "be favored over"?

You can use alternatives like "be preferred to", "be chosen over", or "be prioritized over" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be favored over" or "be favored against"?

"Be favored over" is correct when you want to express preference of one thing compared to another. "Be favored against" is grammatically incorrect and does not convey a logical meaning.

What's the difference between "be favored over" and "be preferred over"?

While both express a preference, "be preferred over" often implies a stronger degree of personal liking or selection, whereas "be favored over" can suggest a more objective advantage or benefit.